04/23/2026
Yes!!!!!!!
***IMPORTANT LAKE COUNTY NEWS!***
Mount Dora Mayor Calls for Countywide Pact to Protect Rural Lands in Lake County.
Today Mount Dora Mayor James Homich urged local leaders to take a unified stand against urban sprawl, by proposing a countywide Joint Planning Agreement (J.P.A.) aimed at preserving Lake County’s rural landscape.
In the April 21 letter sent to city council and commission members in cities across Lake County, as well as the Lake County Commission, Homich outlined a framework for coordinated growth management between the county and its municipalities. The proposal centers on a shared commitment to protect land designated as Rural or Rural Transition from increased residential development.
Under the proposed agreement, the Lake County Commission would agree not to increase residential density in areas currently designated as Rural or Rural Transition. In turn, municipalities would commit to not annexing those same lands for residential purposes.
“Such an agreement would protect the rural lands surrounding our cities from further urban sprawl,” Homich wrote in his letter.
Homich noted that both the county and its cities already have a substantial supply of land designated for residential development, meaning the proposed restrictions would not hinder future growth but instead guide it toward appropriate areas.
Due to private property rights, the proposal would not prevent property owners from developing their land, provided those plans are consistent with existing zoning regulations.
A J.P.A. would allow local governments to better align land-use decisions, reduce fragmented development patterns, and create a more consistent approach to managing growth across jurisdictional boundaries.
The proposal comes as Lake County continues to experience population growth, traffic congestion, and increasing development pressure, raising concerns among some leaders and residents about the long-term preservation of open space and rural character.
Homich’s letter invites collaboration and feedback from elected officials throughout the county, setting the stage for what could become a broader regional effort to balance growth with conservation. No formal action has been taken yet, but the proposal signals a growing interest in coordinated planning to shape Lake County’s future.
Homich stated he would prefer a J.P.A. which included prohibiting rezoning of rural land for strictly commercial development, but suspects such a provision would not get unanimous support due to potential economic consequences. He will raise this issue further at Mount Dora City Council May 18th public meeting at City Hall.
Prior to his election in 2024, Homich, a lawyer, was an active advocate for controlled and responsible growth, as well as historic preservation.
